He Delights In My Destiny

– Psalms 37:23 NLT

Providence.  Sovereignty.  Predestination.  It’s challenging to be comfortable with, much less comprehend the broad scope of these words.

Today is one of those days that wasn’t planned, scheduled or organized . . . but, there’s no doubt God has His fingerprints all over it.  Too often, we organize our days down to the minute.  We commit our days to God, even asking Him to bless us and guide us.  Yet, when His sovereign hand determines to redirect our design, we become frantic and fearful.  We often shift into “survival” mode thinking our skills and smarts will get us through our shifting schedule.

God can be seen as the perfect planner.  He knows every detail.  He is the Soveriegn multi-tasker, organizing tomorrow’s opportunities through today’s obstacles.  He is involved in our past, impacting our present and influencing our future.  He simple requires that our faith in Him replace our fears of the day.

I Can Be Confident.  We can walk each day with complete confidence.  Paul reminds us, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6 KJV). We are able to live in the continuous circle of God’s glory and our good.  I am confident in His commitment and character.  I can be secure in His soveriegnity.

He Is In Control.  The believers in Rome were assured of God’s control.  Paul encouraged them, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Rom 8:28 NLT)  S. Micheal Houdmann writes, “Nothing is random or comes by chance, especially not in the lives of believers. He ‘purposed’ it.”  Isaiah reminds us, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Is 46:10 ESV)  I can have confidence in His control.

He Is Compassionate.  Paul asks and answers “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?  Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Rom 8:35, 37 NLT)  Even when we feel like we’re disconnected with God, our faith keeps us in touch with Him.  Chip Ingram encourages us, “Even if your emotional connection with Him isn’t always there, God is still near.”  The prophet Zephaniah writes, “The Lord your God is with you. He’s mighty to deliver. He takes great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He rejoices over you with singing.” (Zep 3:17 ESV)  I can have confidence in His compassion.

Be assured that God not only directs your path . . . He also delights in every detail.

In 1993, Twila Paris recorded an impacting song about God.  The lyrics read:

This is not time for fear,

This is the time for faith and determination.

Don’t lose the vision here carried away by the motion,

Hold on to all that you hide in your heart.

There is one thing that has always been true,

He holds the world together.

God is in control.

We believe that His children will not be forsaken.

God is in control.

We will choose to remember and never be shaken.

There is no power above or beside Him, we know,

Oh, God is in control, oh God is in control.

He has never let you down.

Why start to worry now?

He is still the Lord of all we see,

And He is still the loving Father,

Watching over you and me.

God is in control.